Town's U18s take on their Norwich counterparts at Portman Road on Saturday lunchtime (KO 1pm). Frontman or midfielder Danny Haynes is the only player involved with first team experience, having made appearances as a substitute at Leeds and Burnley earlier in the season.
Another familiar name is striker Billy Clarke, one of the stars of last season's FA Youth Cup-winning run and an Ireland U19 international. England U17 cap Kurt Robinson is also in the side, as is Iceland U17 keeper Ã"skar Pétursson.
Central defender Chris Casement, capped by Northern Ireland at U17 level, was included on the first team squad's pre-season tour of Hungary, as was locally-born midfielder Liam Trotter.
FA Youth Cup final winning goal scorer Edward Upson is on the bench alongside another Iceland U17 international, midfielder Björn Orri Hermannsson, and Charlie Sheringham, the son of former England star Teddy.
The youngsters will wear the name of their new sponsor, ROL Reader Offers, on their shirts for the first time against the Canaries.
Previous Academy sponsor, Cruise Control, recently went into liquidation owing the club all of the £30,000 they had pledged as backing for the U9 to U18 sides.
Cruise Control, majority-owned by Paul Moore, son of Town board member Richard Moore, also owed Town £30,000 for this season's lease of a Britannia Stand executive box.
Academy sponsorship manager Simon Milton has now made up the shortfall caused by Cruise Control's collapse with each year group now sponsored by a different company: U18s - ROL Reader Offers, U16s - GAH Refrigeration, U15s - Hanbury Davies, U14s - Pentney Lakes, U13s - ITFC London Branch Supporters, U12s - Elite Electrical, U11s - Maritime Cargo Processing, U10s - Fred Olsen and U9s - MC Contracts.
Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for juniors with only the Britannia Stand middle and lower tiers open. The club suggests fans arrive early.
The Ipswich Town Ist FA Youth Cup badges will be on sale inside the ground by the turnstiles, as will the latest issue of TWTD. The badges cost £5 and raise funds for the Academy's Regional Development Centres (more information here). They are also available online here. The game is being sponsored by regular TWTD contributor and Ipswich Town Ist committee member Colin Kreidewolf. Town: 1 Ã"skar Pétursson, 2 Luke Webster, 3 Kurt Robinson, 4 Liam Trotter, 5 Chris Casement, 6 Jack Haverson, 7 Tony Boto, 8 Oliver Fenn, 9 Billy Clarke, 10 Danny Haynes, 11 Stuart Ainsley. Subs: 12 Edward Upson, 13 Andrew Plummer, 14 Charlie Sheringham, 15 Björn Orri Hermannsson, 16 Kieran Leabon. Norwich: 1 Steven Arnold, 2 Patrick Bexfield, 3 Adam Gusterson, 4 Andrew Cave-Brown, 5 Matthew Halliday, 6 Lee Howlett, 7 Jamie Eames, 8 Glen Thrale, 9 Chris Martin, 10 Seb Muddel, 11 Robert Eagle. Subs: 12 Asmat El Ouargui, 13 Phil Smith, 14 Michael Spillane, 15 Bally Smart. What to read next:[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available. Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago. U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side. U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia. George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper. Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy. McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona. McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge. Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. |